"THEIR service is invaluable" is the unanimous opinion of the county's emergency services to the Suffolk Accident Rescue ServiceReaders and accident survivors have all praised the Suffolk Accident Rescue Service for the wonderful work they do.

By Jessica Nicholls

"THEIR service is invaluable" is the unanimous opinion of the county's emergency services to the Suffolk Accident Rescue Service

Readers and accident survivors have all praised the Suffolk Accident Rescue Service for the wonderful work they do.

Now it is the turn of the emergency services who work alongside the volunteer doctors saving lives at the roadside.

The SARS doctors have been chosen to benefit from the Evening Star's Christmas appeal to Save A Life.

Our target is to raise £20,000 to buy state of the art communications equipment that will help the SARS get to the right place as quickly as possible to give on-scene medical care.

Suffolk Fire Service works closely with the SARS at incidents where people may be trapped.

Chris Turnock is assistant chief fire officer and operations commander based at Suffolk Fire Headquarters in Colchester Road.

He said: "The SARS contribution, alongside the fire service and the ambulance service paramedics is invaluable in ensuring that the casualty receives the most appropriate treatment at the scene and that the rescue work is undertaken in the most expedient way."

Suffolk Constabulary has also spoken out in support of the doctors and of the Evening Star appeal.

A police spokesman said: "Anything which can help them in their work has to be welcomed.

"We work very closely with them and there is no doubt that their presence at the scene of accidents does save lives."

Ambulance crews and paramedics are also thankful for the work the SARS do.

Dr Chris Carney is chief executive of the East Anglian Ambulance Trust.

He said: "SARS have been assisting the Ambulance Trust for many years at difficult and complex incidents with their medical expertise.

"They have provided this on a voluntary basis with invaluable financial support from the public of Suffolk and the Ambulance Service continue to be grateful for the valuable clinical support SARS provide in giving the best care for patients in often very difficult circumstances."

n. To help us reach the £20,000 target, readers can send in donations to: Geraldine Thompson, Editor's Secretary, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich.

Let us know of any events you are holding to raise money for the Save A Life appeal by calling the Evening Star Newsdesk on 01473 324788 or emailing us on StarNews@eveningstar.co.uk.

The Ipswich and Norwich Co-operative Society have also helped out the appeal by dedicating their special community dividend number 977 to the Evening Star Appeal.

Customers can quote the number when paying for their shopping ensuring that part of that money will go directly to the SARS appeal.